A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

By David Callaghan and Reg McKay.

Asylum seeker figure is twice earlier claim

The home office has admitted that the number of asylum seekers
waiting for their applications to be processed is 20,000 greater
than its own figures had previously shown.

More than 43,000 people are believed to be waiting compared with
the official figure of 22,580 released in July.

More than 4,000 additional people applied for asylum last year
than was previously thought, and 860 fewer decisions were made than
previously claimed. Home secretary David Blunkett apologised for
the blunder.

Source:- The Times Thursday 20 September page 12

Lauren ‘could have survived’

A girl aged six, who was allegedly killed by her stepmother and
father, could have survived if she had received hospital treatment
on the morning of her death, Norwich crown court was told.

Lauren Wright, died at her home in Welney, Norfolk, after an
alleged attack from her stepmother, who denies manslaughter and
wilful neglect. Her father also denies manslaughter and wilful
neglect.

The claim that Lauren could have survived was made by Graham
Cook, an accident and emergency consultant.

Source:- The Independent Thursday 20 September page
12

Number of NHS hospital beds rises

The number of beds in general and acute hospital wards has risen
for the first time in 30 years, the government announced
yesterday.

An additional 714 overnight beds became available in the year up
to July, including 597 in intensive and critical care units. The
number of beds for same-day cases rose by 217 to 8,155.

Source:- The Times Thursday 20 September page 16

Scottish newspapers

Sighthill to receive extra government cash

The area of Sighthill in Glasgow is to receive an additional
£700,000 community aid from the Scottish executive, Henry
McLeish, first minister, announced during a visit to the area
yesterday.

Following the murder of asylum seeker Firsat Dag a month ago
resulting in demonstrations by local people and many of the 1,500
refugees living there, the executive stated it would invest in more
local resources. The funds are to be paid to voluntary and
community groups and the Glasgow Alliance, a partnership of private
and publicly funded bodies. Among the services to be developed are
additional nursery places, youth services and an open door
information and support service.

Source:- The Herald Thursday 20 September page 15

 

 

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